1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to seats for vehicles, and more particularly, to safety booster seats for children.
2. Description of the Related Art
Several designs for booster seats have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include a buoyant booster seat comprising a safety bag system that enables a child or infant to be housed within an impermeable flexible bag to float to a surface of water in the event of a vehicle accident
There are no similar safety booster seats to the best of applicant's knowledge, having an integrated safety bag system that activates upon submersion in a liquid, such as water, and emergency equipment.
A mechanism for enclosing a child or infant in a seat assembly comprising an impermeable flexible bag that is capable of retaining a predetermined amount of air to provide temporary, yet critical, oxygen in an emergency situation involving submersion in a body of water.
The mechanism includes a buoyant backrest assembly and a buoyant seat assembly. The buoyant seat assembly has the impermeable flexible bag and a sensor that activates when submerged in the body of water to deploy the impermeable flexible bag. The impermeable flexible bag encloses a child or infant to help prevent the child or infant from swallowing water and possibly drowning until reaching a surface of the body of water.
The buoyant seat assembly comprises armrests and buoyant cuffs that may be worn around the arms of the child or infant, serving as floatation devices. The buoyant seat assembly further comprises seatbelts having a male latch having cooperative characteristics to fit and lock into a female latch and means for illumination such as a light bulb in an electric circuit having a source of power such as a 12-volt battery. The buoyant seat assembly also comprises a net for holding toys or articles and at least one cup holder.
The buoyant backrest assembly stores emergency equipment including a flashlight, glass shattering tool, floatation devices, whistles, neon lights, and an emergency mask. The buoyant backrest assembly also comprises a belt latch having channels to adjust the belt latch. The belt latch may receive a vehicle seat belt therethrough.
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a safety booster seat that comprises a safety bag system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety booster seat that is buoyant.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety booster seat that enables a child or infant to be housed within an impermeable flexible bag to float to a surface of water.
It is another object of this invention to provide a safety booster seat that is lightweight.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety booster seat that is easily transportable.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a safety booster seat that comprises emergency equipment.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
a represents a rear perspective view of the seat assembly.
b is a representation of the instant invention with an impermeable flexible bag deployed from the seat assembly.
c is a representation of the instant invention with the impermeable flexible bag deployed from the seat assembly and housing a child.
a represents a rear view of the mask assembly.
b represents a side view of the mask assembly as worn by a child.
a is a representation of the alternate embodiment of the instant invention with the impermeable flexible bag deployed from the seat assembly.
b is a representation of the alternate embodiment of the instant invention with the impermeable flexible bag deployed from the seat assembly and housing an infant.
Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes backrest assembly 20 and seat assembly 60.
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Seat assembly 60 comprises seat 62 having sidewall 64. Perpendicularly extending from seat 62 are connectors 66. Connectors 66 may have cuffs 68 for ornamental and/or cushioning purposes. Cuffs 68 are buoyant and may be worn around the arms of a child, to serve as floatation devices. Extending horizontally across connectors 66, and parallel to one another, are elongated armrests 70. Extending from armrests 70 are seatbelts 72. Male latch 74 secured at one seatbelt 72 has cooperative characteristics to fit and lock into female latch 76. Armrests 70 have light covers 78 at one end. In the preferred embodiment, light covers 78 are at the end of armrests 70 opposite of backrest 22 and have a watertight seal. It is noted that armrests 70 have means for illumination within, not seen. However, such means for illumination may be a light bulb in an electric circuit having a source of power such as a 12-volt battery.
Seat assembly 60 also comprises net 80 for holding toys or articles and cup holders 82 that slide inwardly and outwardly from sidewall 64.
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In an emergency, such as when the vehicle is submerged under water, or when desired, the illustrated alternative embodiment is used as a floatation device.
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The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.